New dean will continue twin-pillar philosophy of educating leaders for business and non-profit sectors

Donnelly succeeds Teng-Kee Tan, Ph.D., who has served as dean of the school since 2009. Donnelly was appointed acting dean in May 2013 when Teng-Kee encountered health issues.

“David Donnelly’s leadership has been exemplary and invaluable over the past several months,” said Gail Hackett, executive vice chancellor and provost at UMKC. “David has garnered the support of Bloch School benefactor Henry Bloch, Chancellor Leo Morton, the university, alumni, faculty, staff, and the Kansas City community. He is committed to carry on the vision that has helped propel the Bloch School into the top ranks of the nation’s best business schools.”

“I could not recommend a better person for the position of dean than Dave Donnelly,” said Henry Bloch, benefactor of the Bloch School. “Dave worked closely with Dean Tan as associate dean, and I know that he is fully committed to the strategy and vision of the school as established by Dean Tan. The leadership and expertise he has demonstrated assures me that the School’s strong momentum will continue – I expect the recognitions to keep coming.”

Donnelly came to UMKC in 2004 as Chair and Professor of Accountancy at the Bloch School, after serving in the same position at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. He also led the Accounting Department at Kansas State University, where he earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees. Donnelly earned his Ph.D. in International Taxation and Accounting from the University of Illinois in 1983.

“The Bloch School will continue to be a world leader in research and teaching, thanks to the talents of an exceptional team of faculty,” Donnelly said. “The school will continue to follow the twin-pillar philosophy, pioneered by Henry Bloch, of nurturing leaders in both the for-profit sector and the nonprofit-public sector; and will continue to be a significant knowledge and economic development resource for the Kansas City region and beyond.”

Donnelly plans to continue the school’s tradition of being a vital resource to Kansas City’s business community, leveraging the school’s academic leadership in entrepreneurship and innovation. He also plans to continue movement on the goals of doubling student enrollment and developing innovative programs that meet the challenges of today’s organizations, particularly in graduate and executive education.

“Kansas City is fortunate to have a history of great leaders, and leaders with great purpose are building UMKC, particularly the Bloch School of Management, into an internationally recognized school for entrepreneurship and innovation,” said Denise Kruse, Chief Executive Officer of AdamsGabbert and chair of the Bloch Advisory Council. “The business community in Kansas City is the beneficiary of this momentum and it takes an extraordinary leader to take an organization from good to great. Dave Donnelly is that kind of a leader. After an extensive national search, we found that the best choice was right here, leading our school with quiet passion, and we seized the opportunity.”

Donnelly is a past member of the board of directors of the Accounting Programs Leadership Group (APLG) and the board of directors of the Federation of Schools of Accountancy (FSA). He also served on several other committees of the American Accounting Association, the APLG and the FSA.

Donnelly’s research interests include behavioral judgment and decision-making as it relates to organizational performance, job satisfaction and stress. Most recently his research has examined how behavioral factors lead to dysfunctional audit behaviors and turnover.

Donnelly has received numerous research grants and teaching awards and has made numerous professional and educational presentations. He has publications in accounting, business and educational journals, including Behavioral Research in Accounting, Advances in Management Accounting, Journal of Forensic Accounting, Advances in Accounting Behavioral Research, CPA Journal, The Woman CPA, Journal of Organizational Behavior, Issues in Accounting Education, Journal of Accounting Education and others.